2003 MG ZS

Photos courtesy of Classic Retro Modern Magazine

Highlights

Stand out Trophy yellow and verified 19,817 miles
One family owned from new until 2022
Magazine cover star including Classic Retro Modern in 2024
Comprehensive history file and recent recommissioning
Original bright Trophy yellow paint and rust-free condition
Recent servicing and cambelts replaced
Brakes and clutch also improved
Long MOT to June 2025 with no advisories

The Appeal

When the team at Longbridge were tasked with MG-ising the aging Rover 45, funds were tight. But, fortunately, talent was high. The result was a remarkable motoring transformation.

The MG ZS was born with a healthy dose of adrenaline. The one to have, and the one revered by MG’s many enthusiasts, is the ZS 180. With its 180bhp 2.5litre KV6 and finely fettled brakes and suspension, the new car was one of the finest handling hatchbacks of its generation and a fitting epitaph to MG’s sporting saloon line.

If all that has whetted your appetite, you will want this car in particular. One family owned to 2022, less than 20,000 miles and in superb unmodified condition, it is surely one of the best available. Naturally it’s finished in the car’s signature Trophy yellow.

It is so good that it has been magazine featured, most recently on the cover of Classic Retro Monthly.

The enthusiast current keeper has lavished it with investment. Serviced annually irrespective of mileage, he has also uprated the clutch, changed the cambelts and overhauled the braking system. As a mark of the attention to detail, the underside has recently been professionally cleaned and waxoyled.

The MOT history verifies the exceptionally low mileage and the current test runs to June 2025 with no advisories. If there’s a car with ‘future classic’ nailed on, it must surely be the MG ZS 180 and this one is a contender for the best.

History and Paperwork

First registered 2nd May 2003
Three registered keepers
Reported to have been one family owned from new until 2022
Current keeper acquired the car in July 2022
Extensive history file documenting servicing and maintenance
MOT history verifies the low displayed mileage
Current MOT valid to 9th June 2025 with no advisories and 19,815 miles showing
Current keeper has recommissioned the car and serviced it annually
Featured in several magazines, including the cover of Classic Retro Modern
2 keys and factory remote fob
Always garaged by all keepers

Notable recent work since 2022:

Timing belts have been replaced
Serviced annually irrespective of mileage
New quality tyres,
Wheels and centre caps refurbished
VIS motors replaced
Three new brake calipers
Full brake overhaul
Sheddist clutch improvement kit
New OEM specification exhaust
Underside cleaned and Waxoyled professionally.

The Condition

Factory standard, pre-facelift car finished in stand-out Trophy yellow
Highly original car in very good condition with few signs of age or use
Always garaged, enthusiast owned and very sparingly used
Underside reported to be rust-free and no structural advisories on MOT
Chassis recently professionally cleaned and Waxoyled
The vendor advises a couple of minor pin dents
There is also a very small mark on the nearside front bumper
Factory alloy wheels recently refurbished and fitted with quality branded tyres
Factory standard interior finished in black and yellow leather with fabric infills
Cabin presents very well appearing to have just left the showroom
Door cards will benefit from regluing in the future but are sound and fully intact
Little wear across interior surfaces including steering wheel which looks new
Original audio system
The a/c system needs recommissioning but parts are supplied with the car
The vendor tells us that it has never been welded

The Mechanics

2,497 cc KV6 6cyl light alloy engine with quad cams and 24Vs
5spd manual gearbox
Various improvements and maintenance since 2022 detailed above
Annually serviced since 2022 irrespective of mileage
Serviced as and when needed prior to this according to seller
Cambelts replaced since 2022
Factory standard car with Sheddist clutch improvement kit fitted
Brakes recently overhauled with new calipers fitted
ZS 180s got uprated brakes
No reported running or driving issues

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

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